So we met with our wonderful caterer, and we have a dilemma.  I wanted long tables and family style food.  But it seems that the long tables are too narrow to hold the food AND the plates.  Crap!  So we can have 8’ round tables with food on the table, or 8′ long tables buffet style.  The thing is, I have been at so many of those 8-footers, and I have never had an easy conversation with anyone across the table.  You know what I mean.  Maybe you shout a question across at the beginning of the meal and then you just resign yourself to talking to the people on either side of you–those giant tables are just too big.  And the whole reason we wanted family style in the first place was so people would interact and talk.  So guests, get ready to wait in line for the buffet.  Crap!